These are podcasts with friends, family and people I meet along the journey.
Christina Taylor speaks with warmth and energy about a lifetime shaped by the sea. From childhood holidays sailing with her family on Lake Constance, taking part in the Antigua Sailing Week, and the difference between inshore and offshore racing. Her stories are filled with curiosity,…
A steady hand on deck Every ship has its engines, its navigation systems, its officers. But none of it works without the people who keep the decks in order, climb into the holds, and carry out the relentless physical work a bulk carrier demands. Michael…
In this interview, Chief Officer Gokhan reflects on life and leadership at sea. He describes working with an international crew of twelve nationalities, the constant rhythm of inspections, planning, and unexpected challenges, and the importance of psychological safety alongside technical skills. His focus on explaining…
Nigel and I talk through the stormy reality of polar navigation, from spotting the first iceberg to the training and judgement that keep ships safe in icy waters. Our conversation blends history, science, and lived experience, as Nigel draws on his background in oceanography to…
The dolphin-style captain The first thing you notice about Captain Paing Phyo is not his authority but his calm attention. He listens closely, nodding as the second officer explains a detail, or smiling gently as a cadet finds the right words. His presence sets the…
In this conversation, Louie explains how storms are monitored and what precautions the crew takes to prepare cabins and secure the ship. He and Lia reflect on the atmosphere of the bridge, the importance of teamwork, and the demanding maintenance tasks that continue even on…
In part two of my conversation with 2nd Officer Louie Abdon Dumagat, we continue along the bridge console, focusing on radar, steering, and communication systems. Louie explains the differences between X-band and S-band radar, how officers read the echoes of waves and whitecaps, and why…
3rd Officer Beata tells how a girl once scared of the surf found her way to the sea. From a seasick voyage that reset her life to months on a tall ship and work on her country’s training vessel, she traces routes, races, and her…
The heart of the family The job of a ship steward is relatively easy to describe. They are there to help keep the two messes running during mealtimes. They assist the cook when needed. And they keep all of the offices and messes in tiptop…
In this candid podcast, I sat down with Nigel Greenwood, a seasoned ice navigator and retired Navy officer, who kindly agreed to an impromptu interview. We talked about his journey from military college to Arctic consultancy, his role aboard commercial and expedition ships, and the…
Keeping the ship fed and the crew together The ship owners might tell you the captain is the most important person on board. The crew would probably disagree. They know that if the cook is good, morale stays high. If the cook falters, everything else…
I answer your questions from life on board: what it means to sit in the so-called captain’s chair, how the constant hum, groans, and knocks of the ship become background, and why downtime is scarce. I share how meals are planned, what it is like…
Christian, a ship pilot on the River Elbe, kindly agreed to do an impromptu podcast with me on the bridge. It was a rare opportunity, since the pilots we have had so far have come aboard in the middle of the night, way after I…
Storm systems roll through the Narvik fjord, marking the end of summer in northern Norway. As the temperature drops and the mountains begin to frost, I reflect on the differences between sailing and life aboard a commercial vessel. This episode captures the shift from feeling…
I join 2nd Officer, Louie Abdon Dumagat, on the bridge. He walks me through the heart of the ship’s navigation: the bridge control station. From depth sounders and radar to GPS and safety alarms, Louie patiently explains the purpose of each system and how they…
We are in Narvik Harbour on a rainy, grey day, as the loading continues after a breakdown caused a delay. While we wait to see if everything can be finished in time, I take the chance to answer some of the thoughtful questions you have…
The ship’s normal routine is broken by seven short blasts followed by one long. The Chief Officer announces that this is an abandon ship drill. Crew members move quickly to the muster area, donning life jackets and carrying their immersion suits. The atmosphere is calm…
(Disclaimer: I get Upper Deck and Deck A mix up. The moment I leave the officers’ mess and go down the stairs, I am talking about the Upper Deck.) In this episode, I take you on a tour of my home at sea, a five-deck…
I speak with Özgün, a marine engineer from Türkiye, who works in the Fleet department’s Technical Data Desk team. We talk about his journey from life at sea to supporting fleet operations on land, and how his early years on bulk carriers continue to shape…
Simon opens the conversation with stories from his recent off-road motorbike trip through Bosnia. From there, we shift into his day-to-day work in fleet management. We talk about the balance between safety, efficiency, and regulation, and how technology is changing what happens behind the scenes.